Minecraft is a creative online multiplayer computer game. Still in development, it has already proven to be one of the most imaginative and open-ended games in existence. Players start out with nothing on a randomly-generated world constructed of blocks of material, and harvest different materials to create anything you can imagine. People have created everything from skyscrapers to fortresses to functional pianos to working computers (in other words, a computer within a computer). We are building things including a castle with windows that spell out "Donate to Autism Speaks", taking requests from people who donate, or even inviting them to join the game.

Autism is a general term used to describe a spectrum of complex developmental brain disorders including Asperger's Syndrome, Rett Syndrome and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, hallmarked by difficulties in social interaction, emotional connection and communication.

An estimated 1.5 million individuals in the U.S. and tens of millions worldwide are affected by autism -- 1 out of 110 children (1 in 70 boys) making it more common than childhood cancer, juvenile diabetes and pediatric AIDS combined. The causes and cure are not yet known.